EXHIBIT 2.4
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AGREEMENT
-----------------------------
This Technology Transfer Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and entered
into as of the 29th day of February, 1996 (the "Effective Date"), by and between
the following Parties:
CITADEL COMPUTER SYSTEMS INCORPORATED, a Delaware corporation, having a
principal place of business at 0000 Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 0000, Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxx 00000 (hereinafter "Citadel" or "Buyer"); and
XXXX XXXXXXX, an individual, whose address is 14235 Bissonnet Street, #H77,
Houston, Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000-0000 (hereinafter "Seller").
In consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and for other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the Parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I -- GENERAL
1.1 Seller owns an undivided whole interest in and to the following: certain
software named "UPGRADE EXPRESS" (the "Software"), all source code,
customer lists, marketing materials and other documentation relating
thereto (the "System"), and all copyrights and intellectual property rights
therein (the "Intellectual Property").
1.2 Seller desires to sell or transfer its interest in and to the Assets to
Buyer, and Buyer desires to purchase Seller's interest in and to the
Assets.
ARTICLE II -- DEFINITIONS
2.1 "Party" means Citadel and Seller, individually; "Parties" means Citadel and
Seller. Reference to the Parties include their respective permitted
assignees and successors in interest.
2.2 "Technology" means any and all compositions, articles of manufacture,
processes, apparatus, data, writings and works of authorship (including,
without limitation, software, protocols, program codes, audio-visual
effects created by program code, and documentation relating thereto),
drawings, mask works and other tangible items (including, without
limitation, materials, samples, components, tools, and operating
devices, e.g., board assemblies, prototypes, and engineering models)
relating to the Business, including without limitation the Software.
2.3 "Technical Information" means any material in human or machine readable
form which embodies or describes the Technology including, without
limitation, the System.
2.4 "Business Information" means any material in human or machine readable form
used, compiled or produced by or for the Business such as, for example,
component supply and cost information, marketing plans, customer lists,
sales leads, competitor analyses, transaction files, financial data,
business plans, business contacts, books, records, papers and instruments.
2.5 "Trade Secrets" means any Technical Information and Business Information
that generally facilitates the sale of products, increases revenues, or
provides an advantage over the competition and is not generally known.
2.6 "Know-How" means all factual knowledge and information relating to the
Business not capable of precise, separate description but which, in an
accumulated form, after being acquired as a result of trial and error,
gives to the one acquiring it the ability to produce and market something
which one otherwise would not have known how to produce and market with the
same accuracy or precision necessary for commercial success, provided
however, that such knowledge and information is not in the public domain or
readily available to any third party other than a limited number of persons
who have agreed to keep that information secret.
2.7 "Copyright(s)" means all forms of proprietary rights granted by a
government with respect to an original work of authorship and fixed in any
tangible medium of oppression from which it can be perceived, reproduced,
or otherwise communicated relating to the Business.
2.8 "Trademark(s)" means all forms of proprietary rights granted by a
government with respect to any word, name, symbol or device, or any
combination thereof, used to identify and distinguish goods of the
Business.
2.9 "Trade Name(s)" means any name used by the Seller to identify the Business.
2.10 "Patent(s)" means all forms of proprietary rights granted by a government
with respect to a design or an invention of the Business, including patents
and certificates of addition, utility models, and enforceable patent
applications, i.e., those under which injunctive relief is available, as
well as, any continuation, division, extension, renewal, revival, or
reissue thereof or substitution therefor, as well as those unfiled
invention disclosures relating to the Business.
2
2.11 "Intellectual Property"means intellectual property rights including
Patents, Copyrights, Trade Secrets, Know-How, Trademarks or Trade Names
which the Seller owns.
2.12 "Assets" means the inventory ("Inventory"), accounts receivable ("Accounts
Receivable") and contracts relating to the Business, as well as the
Technology, Technical Information, Business Information, Intellectual
Property and all other intangible assets associated with the Business.
2.13 "Business" means the marketing and selling of the Software.
ARTICLE III -- AGREEMENT OF PURCHASE AND SALE
---------------------------------------------
3.1 PURCHASE AND SALE OF ASSETS. Citadel hereby agrees to purchase and Seller
---------------------------
hereby agrees to sell and to transfer, assign and deliver to Citadel good
and indefeasible title, free and clear of any and all liens and
encumbrances, in and to the Assets.
3.2 DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION AND NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENT. Within fifteen
------------------------------------------------------
(15) days after Effective Date, Seller shall provide the Technical
Information and Business Information to Buyer. For a period of one year
following the Effective Date of this Agreement (hereinafter the "Disclosure
Period"), Seller shall make available to Buyer by telephone or facsimile a
competent representative to respond to requests from Buyer for Technical
Information and Business Information. Seller will use its best efforts to
fully disclose and describe the Technology to the Buyer.
(a) During the Disclosure Period, Seller shall, upon prior written
request of Buyer, permit a reasonable number of visits by designated
representatives of Buyer to the facilities of Seller to assure the complete
transfer of the Assets, and in particular the Technology, Technical
Information and Business Information.
(b) During the Disclosure Period, Seller shall provide the services of
certain employees who Seller represents as being familiar with the
Technology, Technical Information and Business Information for consultation
and advice concerning the Technology, Technical Information and Business
Information and Buyer's utilization of the Technology, Technical
Information and Business Information.
(c) Seller has disclosed to Buyer all information regarding the
inventions covered by invention disclosures and applications for Patent.
Promptly after the Effective Date, Seller shall prepare and file all
documents necessary for the assignment of Patents relating to such
inventions and vigorously assist Buyer in the prosecution thereof at the
Seller's own expense. Seller further agrees to have executed by its
appropriate staff such documents as may be tendered to it by Buyer to
obtain, maintain, or perfect Buyer's title to such Patents.
3
(d) During the Disclosure Period, Seller will not compete with Buyer
with respect to products and in the geographic area set forth in the
Noncompetition Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit A.
3.3 CONSIDERATION. Citadel will pay to Seller, in consideration for the
-------------
transfer of the Assets to Citadel a total of $200,000.00, of which
$50,000.00 was paid prior to December 31, 1995, $50,000.00 will be paid on
or before February 29, 1996, and the remaining $100,000.00 will be paid
pursuant to the note attached hereto as Exhibit B (the "Note").
3.4 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. Buyer does not and will not assume or be
-----------------------
responsible for payment of any liability or obligation of Seller of any
kind whatsoever, including any liability or obligation for transfer or
excise taxes or other charges or expenses arising out of or in connection
with the transfer of the Assets. Seller agrees to remain solely liable for
all liabilities to Seller and shall indemnify and hold Buyer harmless from
any and all claims, demands or losses incurred as a result of such
liabilities.
3.5 DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS; FURTHER ASSURANCES:
-----------------------------------------
(a) Contemporaneously herewith, Seller will deliver to Buyer the
following documents and instruments:
(1) Noncompetition Agreement executed by Seller in substantially
the form attached hereto as Exhibit A;
(2) A Xxxx of Sale substantially in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit C;
(3) All of Seller's contracts, commitments, account records,
files and other business records relating to the Assets;
(4) A materially complete and accurate list, including contact
names and addresses of all customers of Seller as of the Effective
Date; and
(5) An Assignment Agreement substantially in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit D.
(b) Contemporaneously herewith, Buyer will deliver to Seller the
following documents and instruments:
(1) A Xxxx of Sale substantially in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit C; and
(2) An Assignment Agreement substantially in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit D.
4
(c) Contemporaneously herewith, and at all times thereafter as may be
necessary, Seller shall execute and deliver to Buyer such other instruments
of transfer as shall be reasonably necessary or appropriate to vest in
Buyer good and indefeasible title to the Assets and to comply with the
purposes and intent of this Agreement.
ARTICLE IV -- REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER
------------------------------------------------------
4.1 AUTHORITY FOR AGREEMENT. This Agreement has been duly executed by Seller
-----------------------
and constitutes the valid and binding obligation of Seller and is
enforceable in accordance with its terms.
4.2 TITLE. Seller represents and warrants to Buyer that Seller has, good and
-----
indefeasible title to the Assets, free and clear of any mortgages, pledges,
liens, security interests, or other encumbrances of any character. Seller
further represents and warrants to Buyer that the Technology was developed
by Seller or acquired by Seller, and was not misappropriated from another.
4.3 DISCLOSURE. Seller represents and warrants to Buyer that no representation
----------
or warranty made by Seller in this Agreement contains any untrue statements
or a material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make
the statements herein not misleading.
4.4 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.
---------------------
(a) Seller represents and warrants to Buyer that Seller is unaware of
information that the Intellectual Property is invalid and not subsisting,
or has been canceled, abandoned or otherwise terminated.
(b) Seller represents and warrants to Buyer that Seller has no
knowledge of any claim that, or inquiry as to whether, any product,
activity or operation of Seller relating to the Business infringes upon or
involves, or has resulted in the infringement of, any proprietary right of
any other person, corporation or other entity, and no proceedings have been
instituted, are pending, or are threatened which challenge the rights of
Seller with respect thereto.
(c) Seller represents and warrants to Buyer that Seller has, where
permitted and appropriate, acquired common law rights in the Intellectual
Property.
ARTICLE V -- REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER
----------------------------------------------------
5.1 DUE ORGANIZATION AND AUTHORITY. Buyer represents and warrants to Seller
------------------------------
that Buyer is a corporation organized, existing and in good standing under
the laws of the State of Delaware, and has all requisite power and
authority to acquire the Assets and to enter into this Agreement and comply
with the terms hereof.
5
5.2 AUTHORITY FOR AGREEMENT. Buyer represents and warrants to Seller that all
-----------------------
necessary action has been taken to authorize and approve the execution of
this Agreement and the performance hereof of such Buyer. This Agreement
has been duly executed by Buyer and constitutes the valid and binding
obligation of Buyer and is enforceable in accordance with its terms.
5.3 LEGAL COMPLIANCE. Buyer represents and warrants to Seller that to the
----------------
knowledge of Buyer, the execution and performance of this Agreement will
not result in a breach of, or constitute a default or violation under, (a)
any law, rule, governmental regulation or any order or decree of any court;
or (b) any of the terms or provisions of any agreement, contract,
instrument, lease, or other document to which Buyer is a party or by which
Buyer is bound.
5.4 LITIGATION. Buyer represents and warrants to Seller that Buyer is not
----------
subject to any judgment, order or decree entered in any lawsuit or
proceeding that has had, or that can reasonably be expected to have, an
adverse effect on its ability to enter into this Agreement.
5.5 DISCLOSURE. Buyer represents and warrants to Seller that no representation
----------
or warranty made by Buyer in this Agreement contains an untrue statement of
material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the
statements not misleading.
ARTICLE VI -- MISCELLANEOUS
---------------------------
6.1 NOTICES. Any notice or communication must be in writing and given by (a)
-------
deposit in the United States mail, addressed to the party to be notified,
postage prepaid and registered or certified with return receipt requested,
(b) delivery in person or by Federal Express or similar courier service
providing evidence of delivery or (c) transmission by telegram, telecopy or
telex. Each notice or communication that is mailed, delivered, or
transmitted in the manner described above shall be deemed sufficiently
given, served, sent and received, in the case of mail notices, on the third
business day following the date on which it is mailed and, in the case of
notices delivered by hand, courier service, telegram, telecopy or telex, at
such time as it is delivered to the addressee (with the delivery receipt,
the affidavit of messenger or, with respect to a telecopy or telex, the
confirmation of transmission or answer back being deemed conclusive
evidence of such delivery) or at such time as delivery is refused by the
addressee upon presentation. For purposes of this notice, the addresses of
the Parties shall be:
SELLER: Xxxx Xxxxxxx
00000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, #X00
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000-0000
6
BUYER: CITADEL COMPUTER SYSTEMS INCORPORATED
0000 Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx Xxxxx
6.2 SURVIVAL. All covenants, agreements, undertakings, representations and
--------
warranties made in this Agreement will survive the Effective Date hereunder
and, except as otherwise indicated, will not be affected by any
investigation made by any party.
6.3 GOVERNING LAW. THE SUBSTANTIVE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS (WITHOUT REGARD
-------------
TO ITS CHOICE OF LAW PRINCIPLES) WILL GOVERN THE VALIDITY, CONSTRUCTION,
ENFORCEMENT AND INTERPRETATION OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE DOCUMENTS,
INSTRUMENTS OR AGREEMENTS EXECUTED AND DELIVERED PURSUANT TO THE TERMS
HEREOF, UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED HEREIN.
6.4 INVALID PROVISIONS. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be
------------------
illegal, invalid or unenforceable under present or future laws effective
during the term hereof, such provision will be fully severable; this
Agreement will be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or
unenforceable provisions had never comprised a part thereof. Furthermore,
in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision there will be
added automatically as a part of this Agreement a provision as similar in
terms to such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision as may be
possible and be legal, valid and enforceable.
6.5 ENTIRETY AND AMENDMENTS. This Agreement, including the agreements attached
-----------------------
as exhibits hereto, embodies the entire agreement between the parties,
supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, if any, relating to the
subject matter hereof, and may be amended only by an instrument in writing
executed jointly by an authorized officer or agent of each of the parties
hereto, and supplemented only by documents delivered or to be delivered in
accordance with the express terms thereof.
6.6 EXPENSES. Whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
--------
are consummated, Seller agrees to bear all costs and expenses incurred by
it in connection with the negotiation, execution and performance of this
Agreement, and Buyer agrees to bear all costs and expenses incurred by it
in connection with the negotiation, execution and performance of this
Agreement.
6.7 INDEMNIFICATION OF BUYER. Seller covenants and agrees to indemnify Buyer
------------------------
from and against, and to hold Buyer harmless from and against, any and all
losses, damages, costs and expenses, including court costs and attorneys'
fees, that Buyer may ever suffer or incur as the result of (a) the material
breach or inaccuracy of any material representation or warranty made herein
by Seller, (b) the failure or refusal of Seller to comply with any
7
of its obligations hereunder, or (c) any claim based upon or arising out of
any liability or obligation, contracted or otherwise, of Seller in
connection with the Assets.
6.8 INDEMNIFICATION OF SELLER. Buyer covenants and agrees to indemnify Seller
-------------------------
from and against, and to hold Seller harmless from and against, any and all
losses, damages, costs and expenses, including court costs and attorneys'
fees, that Seller may ever suffer or incur as the result of (a) the
material breach or inaccuracy of any material representation or warranty
made herein by Buyer, or (b) the failure or refusal of Buyer to comply with
any of its obligations hereunder.
6.9 CONFIDENTIALITY. Unless required by law or regulatory authority, Buyer and
---------------
Seller agree not to disclose to third parties (other than the parties'
financial and legal advisors) the terms or existence of this Agreement, the
Note, the Xxxx of Sale and/or the Assignment Agreement, except as agreed by
the parties.
8
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused their respective corporate
names to be affixed hereto and this instrument to be signed by their duly
authorized officers, all as of the day and year first above written.
______________________________________
Xxxx Xxxxxxx
CITADEL COMPUTER SYSTEMS INCORPORATED
By:___________________________________
Name:_________________________________
Title:________________________________
9
